The Cybook Orizon E-Reader Stops By The FCC On Its Way To Department Stores Everywhere

Bookeen showed off the Cybook Orizon at CES 2010 and then later came clean with all the details. It's a 6-inch, multi-touch e-reader that was supposed to hit retailers in the summer of 2010 for $250. That didn't happen. It did however just hit the FCC which seems to state a 2011 release is on tap at a price point dramatically lower than originally planned. $250? *shudder*

According to the FCC docs, the multi-touch functions are still present with the usual gestures including pinch-to-zoom and swiping left and right for turning the pages. The battery life is about average with a 2 week life if used 2 hours a day. Though the supported documents scream "I'm just another e-reader!" with support for ePub, FB2, HTML, TXT, and PDF.

Inside the case is 2GB of memory and a 400 MHz ARM-type CPU along with WiFi b/g/n, a microSD card slot, a micro USB connector and a 1230 mAh Li-Polymer battery. The 6-inch E Ink SiPix screen features a 600 x 800 screen with 167 dpi and 16 grey levels. It truly doesn't seem like that bad of a device, but even the multi-touch gimmick won't sway the masses away from the Kindle. As long as it's priced right though, there's a niche market for a Kindle alternative that sports WiFi and expandable memory.